Genk will welcome league leaders Anderlecht to the Cegeka Arena in the Belgian Pro League championship playoffs on Saturday.
The hosts have enjoyed an unbeaten run in the three playoff games thus far and were held to a 1-1 draw by Cercle Brugge last week. Tolu Arokodare gave them the lead in the 18th minute and Kazeem Olaigbe equalized for Brugge in the 78th minute, four minutes after Boris Popović was sent off.
The visitors met Union Saint-Gilloise in a top-of-the-table clash last week. Kasper Dolberg broke the deadlock in the 11th minute but Zeno Debast was sent off in the 64th minute for a challenge and Cameron Puertas equalized from the ensuing penalty.
Francis Amuzu, who was subbed in the 37th minute to replace Thorgan Hazard, bagged the match-winner in the 76th minute.
Genk vs Anderlecht Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and have met 112 times in all competitions thus far. The visitors have dominated proceedings against the hosts, leading 64-29 in wins while 19 games have ended in draws.
- The visitors were unbeaten in two league meetings against the hosts during the regular season and recorded a 2-1 away win in December.
- The hosts are unbeaten in their last five league games, keeping three clean sheets and scoring one goal apiece in these games.
- Anderlecht have just one win in their last 10 away meetings against the hosts while suffering seven losses.
- Genk have played more draws (12) than any other team in the Belgian Pro League this season.
- The visitors have just one win in their last five meetings against the hosts while suffering three defeats.
Genk vs Anderlecht Prediction
Blauw-Wit are unbeaten in their last five league games, recording three wins and keeping three clean sheets. They are unbeaten in their last three home games, recording two wins, and will look to build on that form. Joris Kayembe was handed a two-game suspension, so Eduard Sobol is expected to start here.
Paars-wit have seen conclusive results in their last 10 league outings, with eight wins and two losses. They suffered a defeat in their only away game of the playoffs earlier this month to Club Brugge and will look to leave a better account of themselves here.
Thorgan Hazard picked up an ACL injury last week and is sidelined for at least eight months, which comes as a blow to the visitors ahead of the crucial playoff run-up.
Genk have scored one goal apiece in their last five league games and they have suffered just one loss in their last 10 home meetings against the visitors. With that in mind and considering the current form of the two teams, a low-scoring draw is likely to ensue.
Prediction: Genk 1-1 Anderlecht
Genk vs Anderlecht Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the first half - Yes
Tip 4: Anders Dreyer to score or assist any time - Yes